WHERE IS THE GREEN SHEEP? | Monkey Baa brings Mem Fox's beloved classic to Civic Theatre Newcastle
- intouch Magazine
- 4 minutes ago
- 3 min read
There's a question that has delighted children for more than two decades, and this July it's coming to life on stage right here in Newcastle. Where is the Green Sheep? - the iconic picture book by Mem Fox and illustrator Judy Horacek - is being adapted for the very first time as a full theatrical production, and Civic Theatre Newcastle is one of the first stops on its Australian journey.
Brought to the stage by the award-winning Monkey Baa Theatre Company, the show runs from 9 to 11 July 2026 and is designed especially for children aged one to six. That's right, theatre for the very littlest among us, and for the grown-ups who love sharing stories with them.
A wild quest for one very elusive sheep…
For those who haven't recited the book approximately four thousand times, the premise is simple: two children and their dog search high and low for the green sheep, encountering a wonderfully eccentric cast of woolly characters along the way. Blue Sheep loves blue flowers. Red Sheep cartwheels through the fields. Bath Sheep adores bubbles. Bed Sheep loves to bounce. But the green sheep? Well, that's the mystery.
On stage, this becomes an immersive visual theatre experience - a blend of puppetry, animation and movement that draws young audiences into the search with all the warmth and wonder the book has always promised. Three farmers lead the quest, and the whole thing unfolds with the kind of playful energy that keeps small people genuinely captivated.
What makes this production especially touching is that it was co-created with students from Bankstown West Public School, whose voices feature as narrators throughout the show. It's a meaningful reminder that children aren't just the audience for great theatre, they're part of the story itself.
A stellar creative team…
Monkey Baa is no stranger to bringing beloved Australian books to life. The company's previous productions include Possum Magic, Josephine Wants to Dance and Diary of a Wombat, so they know a thing or two about honouring the spirit of a cherished original while making it sing on stage.
This production is led by Artistic Director Eva Di Cesare, whose credits include Edward the Emu and Where the Streets Had a Name. Joining her is none other than Judy Horacek herself — the book's illustrator — serving as Visual Art Director, bringing an authenticity to the visuals that fans of the original will immediately recognise and love.
The broader creative team is equally impressive: Production Designer Tobhiyah Stone Feller, Composer Me-Lee Hay, Puppetry Director Kailah Cabanas (known for her work on War Horse), Puppet Maker Kay Yasugi, Video Designer Susie Henderson, Lighting Designer Matt Cox, Sound Designer Zac Saric and Choreographer Nat Jobe. It's the kind of lineup that signals this isn't just a children's show — it's a serious, beautifully crafted piece of theatre that happens to be made for the youngest audiences.
A co-production with heart…
Where is the Green Sheep? is a co-production between Monkey Baa and Queensland Performing Arts Centre's Out of the Box Festival, created in association with Arts Centre Melbourne, the Sydney Opera House and The Art House, Wyong. That's a remarkable coalition of Australia's leading arts institutions coming together around a 190-word picture book - a testament to how powerfully this little story has resonated across generations.
Mem Fox, who co-created the original book, is clearly thrilled: "Where is the Green Sheep? Aha! It's travelling around Australia in its new play. This play is the crowning glory in its long and glorious career."
High-quality theatre in the early years is known to nurture a lifelong love of the arts, and this production is exactly the kind of experience that plants that seed. If you have little ones — or know someone who does — this is a July school holiday moment worth circling on the calendar.
Where is the Green Sheep? plays at Civic Theatre Newcastle from 9 to 11 July 2026. Suitable for ages 1–6. Tickets and session times via the Civic Theatre Newcastle website www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au.
